Skip to main content
Ch 23: Electric Potential
Young & Freedman Calc - University Physics 14th Edition
Young & Freedman Calc14th EditionUniversity PhysicsISBN: 9780321973610Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 23, Problem 22c

At a certain distance from a point charge, the potential and electric-field magnitude due to that charge are 4.984.98 V and 16.216.2 V/m, respectively. (Take V=0V = 0 at infinity.) Is the electric field directed toward or away from the point charge?

Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that the electric field direction depends on the sign of the point charge. A positive charge has an electric field directed away from it, while a negative charge has an electric field directed toward it.
Recall that the electric potential (V) and the electric field (E) are related to the charge (q) and the distance (r) from the charge by the formulas: V = k * q / r and E = k * q / r^2, where k is Coulomb's constant.
Since the potential is positive (4.98 V), this suggests that the point charge is positive, as a positive charge creates a positive potential.
Given that the electric field magnitude is 16.2 V/m, and knowing the potential is positive, the electric field is directed away from the point charge.
Conclude that the electric field is directed away from the point charge, consistent with the behavior of a positive charge.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
1m
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Electric Potential

Electric potential at a point in space is the work done per unit charge in bringing a positive test charge from infinity to that point. It is a scalar quantity measured in volts (V) and indicates the potential energy per unit charge at a location due to an electric field.
Recommended video:
Guided course
07:33
Electric Potential

Electric Field

The electric field is a vector field around a charged object where a force would be exerted on other charges. It is measured in volts per meter (V/m) and represents the force per unit charge exerted on a positive test charge. The direction of the field is the direction of the force on a positive charge.
Recommended video:
Guided course
03:16
Intro to Electric Fields

Direction of Electric Field

The direction of the electric field is determined by the nature of the source charge. For a positive point charge, the electric field radiates outward, while for a negative point charge, it points inward. This concept helps determine whether the field is directed toward or away from the charge.
Recommended video:
Guided course
03:16
Intro to Electric Fields
Related Practice
Textbook Question

At a certain distance from a point charge, the potential and electric-field magnitude due to that charge are 4.984.98 V and 16.216.2 V/m, respectively. (Take V=0V = 0 at infinity.) What is the distance to the point charge?

Textbook Question

An electron is to be accelerated from 3.00×1063.00\(\times\)10^6 m/s to 8.00×1068.00\(\times\)10^6 m/s. Through what potential difference must the electron pass to accomplish this?

Textbook Question

A thin spherical shell with radius R1=3.00R_1 = 3.00 cm is concentric with a larger thin spherical shell with radius R2=5.00R_2 = 5.00 cm. Both shells are made of insulating material. The smaller shell has charge q1=+6.00q_1 = +6.00 nC distributed uniformly over its surface, and the larger shell has charge q2=9.00q_2 = -9.00 nC distributed uniformly over its surface. Take the electric potential to be zero at an infinite distance from both shells. What is the electric potential due to the two shells at the following distance from their common center: (i) r=0 r=0; (ii) r=4.00r=4.00 cm; (iii) r=6.00r=6.00 cm?

1
views
Textbook Question

An infinitely long line of charge has linear charge den­sity 5.00×10125.00\(\times\)10^{-12} C/m. A proton (mass 1.67×10271.67\(\times\)10^{-27} kg, charge +1.60×1019+1.60\(\times\)10^{-19} C) is 18.018.0 cm from the line and moving directly toward the line at 3.50×1033.50\(\times\)10^3 m/s. Calculate the proton's initial kinetic energy.

Textbook Question

At a certain distance from a point charge, the potential and electric-field magnitude due to that charge are 4.984.98 V and 16.216.2 V/m, respectively. (Take V=0V = 0 at infinity.) What is the magnitude of the charge?

2
views
Textbook Question

An infinitely long line of charge has linear charge den­sity 5.00×10125.00\(\times\)10^{-12} C/m. A proton (mass 1.67×10271.67\(\times\)10^{-27} kg, charge +1.60×1019+1.60\(\times\)10^{-19} C) is 18.018.0 cm from the line and moving directly toward the line at 3.50×1033.50\(\times\)10^3 m/s. How close does the proton get to the line of charge?

9
views